Cinemo, Dolby and SmashLabs Elevate Immersive In-Car Gaming Experiences
Cinemo, a global provider of integrated in-car infotainment solutions, has announced a collaboration with Dolby Laboratories and SmashLabs to introduce a new generation of immersive, music-driven gaming experiences designed specifically for vehicle interiors.
The collaboration brings together gaming, immersive audio and vehicle technologies to create interactive entertainment experiences that respond to what is happening inside the cabin. The new experiences are designed to support a range of in-car situations, whether passengers are traveling, waiting while parked or charging an electric vehicle.
The partnership combines SmashLabs’ interactive games, Cinemo’s standardized In-Car Game APIs and Dolby Atmos immersive audio. Together, the technologies enable game events to trigger real-time responses from vehicle systems, including audio, lighting, haptics and climate controls.
The companies say the result is a more connected form of in-car entertainment in which the vehicle itself becomes part of the gaming experience.
Turning the Vehicle Into an Interactive Gaming Environment
Traditional in-car entertainment has largely focused on bringing familiar media such as music, video and games into the vehicle. The new collaboration takes a different approach by designing games specifically around the capabilities of the vehicle cabin.
SmashLabs’ games are integrated through Cinemo’s standardized In-Car Game APIs. These interfaces allow game events to communicate with vehicle systems and generate synchronized responses.
For example, actions taking place within a game can trigger changes in lighting, haptic feedback or other vehicle functions. This creates a more responsive experience in which players and passengers can see, hear and physically feel the progress of the game.
The integration is designed to be adaptable across different vehicle models, allowing game experiences to be tailored to the hardware and capabilities available in individual cabins.
Dolby Atmos Adds Immersive Audio
Audio is another important part of the new experience.
Dolby Atmos technology enables sound to be positioned around the cabin, allowing passengers to perceive elements of the game based on direction and distance. Instead of simply playing sound through vehicle speakers, the technology can create a more three-dimensional audio environment.
This approach is particularly relevant for music-led and rhythm-focused games, where timing, movement and sound play an important role in gameplay.
By combining Dolby Atmos with vehicle responses, the partnership aims to create experiences where audio becomes an active component of gameplay rather than simply background entertainment.
Sounds can help communicate game events, while synchronized lighting and haptic effects can reinforce what players are hearing and seeing.
Designing Games for the Cabin
The Cinemo, Dolby and SmashLabs Elevate Immersive In-Car Gaming companies believe the future of in-car gaming will depend on experiences designed specifically for vehicles rather than simply adapting traditional console or mobile games to a different screen.
SmashLabs President and CEO Niccolò Cappon said the partnership focuses on creating experiences that can only exist within the vehicle environment.
The Cinemo, Dolby and SmashLabs Elevate Immersive In-Car Gaming concept recognizes that a modern vehicle offers more than a display. It can provide multiple audio channels, interactive interfaces, ambient lighting, haptic systems and other connected features that can become part of a game.
By using these capabilities together, developers can create entertainment that takes advantage of the physical environment surrounding passengers.
This could be particularly useful as vehicles become increasingly software-defined and connected, giving automakers more opportunities to introduce new digital experiences throughout the vehicle lifecycle.
Low-Latency Interaction
Responsiveness is an important element of interactive gaming. Delays between an in-game event and a physical response can reduce the sense of immersion and make gameplay less engaging.
The Cinemo, Dolby and SmashLabs Elevate Immersive In-Car Gaming collaboration therefore focuses on responsive, low-latency interactions between games and vehicle systems.
Through Cinemo’s In-Car Game APIs, game events can be translated into real-time vehicle responses. These interactions can involve multiple systems simultaneously, helping create synchronized experiences across sound, lighting, haptics and other cabin functions.
The approach is intended to give automakers greater flexibility when integrating gaming experiences into their infotainment platforms while providing developers with standardized interfaces for connecting their games to vehicle technologies.
Experiences for Different In-Car Moments
One of the key advantages of in-car gaming is that it can provide entertainment during different stages of a journey.
Passengers may be able to enjoy interactive experiences while the vehicle is moving, where appropriate, or while the vehicle is parked. Electric vehicles also create opportunities for entertainment while charging, when occupants may have additional time available.
This makes the vehicle a potential entertainment space beyond traditional transportation.
Instead of limiting gaming to long journeys, automotive gaming could become part of everyday moments such as waiting for a vehicle to charge, taking a break during a trip or spending time in a parked vehicle.
The new Cinemo, Dolby and SmashLabs experience is designed with these scenarios in mind, offering entertainment that can adapt to different contexts inside the vehicle.
Ready for OEM Evaluation
The technology is now available for evaluation by automotive manufacturers.
Live demonstrations of the collaborative gaming experience will be presented at gamescom 2026 in Cologne, Germany, giving automotive and technology professionals an opportunity to see how gaming can interact with vehicle systems.
The demonstrations will take place in Hall 2.1, Stand C-040. OEM representatives and other interested parties can schedule demonstrations in advance.
The showcase is expected to provide an opportunity for industry participants to experience the combination of game mechanics, immersive audio and responsive vehicle technologies firsthand.
Cinemo’s Role in In-Car Entertainment
Cinemo provides integrated digital media and infotainment technologies for the automotive industry.
Founded in 2008, the company develops system-agnostic solutions designed to combine high performance with a compact technology footprint. Its products are used by more than 40 automotive manufacturers and more than 20 Tier 1 suppliers, according to the company.
Cinemo’s technology portfolio includes digital media, cloud and AI capabilities. The company has also expanded its focus toward connected ecosystems designed to link devices, content and users.
Its In-Car Game APIs form part of this broader strategy by providing a standardized foundation for integrating gaming into vehicle infotainment systems.
The company’s global workforce includes professionals from more than 40 nationalities, reflecting its international presence in the automotive technology market.
More information is available at Cinemo.
SmashLabs Focuses on Next-Generation Interactive Entertainment
SmashLabs develops interactive gaming and entertainment experiences for next-generation infotainment platforms.
The company focuses on bringing gaming beyond traditional screens and creating experiences specifically designed for connected environments.
Its work includes rhythm-driven and multiplayer experiences that combine gameplay, music and real-time interaction. The company is also developing Smashworld, a universe of original music-based immersive games that can be customized for automotive manufacturers.
By designing games for connected vehicles and spatial computing environments, SmashLabs aims to create new ways for passengers to engage with digital content.
More information is available at SmashLabs.
Dolby Brings Immersive Entertainment Technology
Dolby Laboratories is a global entertainment technology company focused on immersive audio and visual experiences.
Its technologies are used across movies, television, music, sports, gaming and other forms of digital entertainment. Dolby Atmos is designed to create immersive sound experiences by positioning audio around the listener.
The company’s technology portfolio also includes Dolby Vision, Dolby Cinema and Dolby OptiView.
In the new automotive gaming collaboration, Dolby Atmos plays a central role in creating a spatial audio environment that complements game events and vehicle responses.
More information is available at Dolby Laboratories.
A New Direction for Automotive Entertainment
The collaboration between Cinemo, Dolby and SmashLabs demonstrates how gaming could become a more integrated part of the software-defined vehicle.
Rather than treating the vehicle as another screen for existing games, the companies are exploring how the cabin itself can become an interactive entertainment platform.
By combining responsive game mechanics with immersive audio, lighting, haptics and other vehicle systems, the partnership creates an experience designed around the unique capabilities of modern vehicles.
As automakers continue to expand digital features and connected services, partnerships such as this could open new opportunities for entertainment inside the vehicle.
The companies will showcase their technology at gamescom 2026, offering industry visitors an opportunity to experience how gaming, immersive sound and vehicle technology can come together to create a new form of in-car entertainment.
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